Winter Camping at Mount Rainier: A College Snowshoe Trip in Below-Freezing Temps
Outdoor Element
Despite the winter quarter being the shortest, if you ask almost any college kid, they will say it feels like the longest.
Between competitions, conferences, classes, and trying to keep up a social life, this college kid would firmly agree that the winter quarter is actually the longest.
Being tired from the constant onslaught of work, I was in desperate need of a nature getaway to recenter myself. Luckily, this weekend offered the perfect opportunity for such an adventure.
Relocating to Washington State for school means that I now have three national parks within 200 miles of me, including Mount Rainier. Being so close to my favorite national park, the only challenge of a wintery weekend sleepover was the 5 am wake-up to get my car packed.
Preparing for Below-Freezing Camping Temperatures
If you’re planning your first time camping in below-freezing temperatures, preparation matters more than perfection. Conditions can change quickly at Mount Rainier in winter.
With the weather being so unpredictable this winter, it was difficult to know what to bring since conditions could have changed at any time. With my 3.5 season tent, lots of blankets to stuff my sleeping bag with, a charlotte's webbing to dry my gear, plenty of snow clothes, and my fire kit (fiber light, kindling, and my engraved scout feather knife), I felt I was as prepared as I could be. With the help of a CELCIUS, I had no problem getting up and on the road by 6 AM.
Joining me on this adventure was my good friend, Peter, whose 20th birthday was the secondary motivator for our trip.
This was a surprise birthday trip, so our location and activities were unknown to him. Using a postcard taped to his present, I excitedly revealed where we were going once we were halfway into our drive.
The excitement in my little suburb grew the closer we got to the entrance station, especially as it began to snow fat flakes that made it almost hard to see. We both couldn't wait to be out exploring the outdoors once again.
Snowshoeing at Mount Rainier in Winter
If you’ve never had the chance to make the drive through Mount Rainier, I highly recommend it.
After passing through the entrance station without a problem, we began our journey up to Longmire, the furthest we could go into the park when snow shuts down the road to Paradise.
It’s one of my favorite drives with huge trees, views of the surrounding mountains, and a fun winding road that introduces the beauty of Mount Rainier and the Gifford Pinchot Forest.
Once we reached Longmire, I finally revealed to Peter that we would be snowshoeing by giving him the neoprene socks we would be using to keep our feet dry and warm in our hiking shoes.
After a quick stop by the museum to see which trails had the most snow (it turns out the western snow drought had hit Rainier as well), we threw on our snow pants and snowshoes to set off on our adventure.
Since we had to rent snowshoes, we were determined to at least get a little bit of use out of them, but that resulted in us looking a little silly as we stumbled down a paved trail that had only a fine layer of snow on it.
Once we started our uphill trek across many rocks and tree roots to reach Rampart Ridge, we realized that the odds just weren’t in our favor and stepped aside to take off the snowshoes.
Snowshoeing at Mount Rainier in winter can mean deep powder—or barely covered pavement. Flexibility is part of the adventure.
I had never been more thankful for my ski pack than that moment when I was able to use the outside straps and some Gearbiners to attach the snowshoes to my pack and carry them on my back.
Peter followed suit, using a strap and carabiner to have his shoes dangle off his pack. We continued up the base of the volcano in just our hiking shoes, not letting the lack of snow stop us from having fun.
After huffing up a particularly steep section of the switchbacks, we even stopped to drink some water and make barely visible snow angels on the trail.
The more elevation we gained, the more the snow came down, making for a winter wonderland effect. Despite not being able to see the Rainier peak, the views of the surrounding Nisqually Valley covered in snow were equally breathtaking.
By the time we were only a few hundred feet shy of a mile above sea level (my comfort elevation as a proud Colorado Native), the snow on the trail increased significantly, and we increasingly found it hard to keep traction as the trail started to slope down.
After watching Peter nearly fall flat on his back for the 3rd time, I decided to stop and put the snowshoes back on. Once again, I was grateful for how easy Gearbiners made it to attach and detach items to my pack as the wind howled around us while we got the shoes back on.
Within 5 minutes, we were continuing our snowy trek, stabilized and looking significantly goofier.
We had a blast being silly as we made our way down the ridge. More than a few people who passed us on the trail got a good giggle watching us attempt to jump off of tree roots and do 360’s like we were on skis.
In order to properly disconnect on this getaway, I brought some disposable point-and-shoots, which we used instead of our phones to take photos of the beautiful landscape.
We even stopped to watch a uniquely shaped icicle dangle from a tree root, which must have only fallen a little bit before we found it. And of course I had to hug one of the huge trees that never ceases to amaze me.
After an hour and a half, we made it back to the parking lot. Having taken our snowshoes off (and once again attaching them to our bags, seriously can’t recommend gearbiners enough), already on the trail when we reached a muddy section, we were able to quickly drop our excess gear at my car and stop by the visitor center to find some souvenir stickers.
Once the stickers were acquired, we made the once again gorgeous drive through the park to go set up camp for the night, stopping at the entrance to grab a quick picture of us with the Rainier sign.
One pitched tent, a sketchy parking job, and a delicious celebratory dinner later, Peter and I finished setting up the inside of the tent, packing in 2 comforters, 3 blankets, and our sleeping bags.
It was Peter’s first time camping in below-freezing temperatures, and I was determined to make sure he didn’t freeze overnight.
After using my fiber light and scout feather to get a fire started, we sat down to boil some water, make tea, and play a few rounds of the card game Speed.
After many losses on Peter's part but wins for me, we were toasty, sleepy, and ready to call it a night. We crawled into our tent, and both got the best sleep we'd had in weeks… well, except for the very random nosebleed I got in the middle of the night.
Thank goodness I built a habit of attaching my glowing Mini Whistle from my Scout Feather to the zipper of the tent door, so I didn’t have to fumble too much in the dark to stick my head out of the tent and grab the tissues I stored in the bucket of emergency supplies I tucked into the rain cap.
In the morning, we made quick work of our camp, packing up the tent and ensuring we properly covered up our fire.
In a little less than an hour, we were back on the road towards campus, feeling refreshed and richer with memories.
A little bit of planning, a lot of flexibility, and the determination to have a good time no matter what made this Rainier Retreat a success, proving that everyone needs a getaway sometimes!
What I Learned About Snow Camping for Beginners
Below-Freezing Camping Tips
- Layer inside your sleeping bag.
- Keep fire-starting tools dry and accessible.
- Attach critical gear to your tent zipper.
- Carry snowshoes externally using secure straps or carabiners / Gearbiners.
- Expect weather and traction to change with elevation.
A Winter Camping Gear Checklist for Mount Rainier
- 3.5-season tent
- Insulated sleeping bag + liners
- Snow layers
- Snowshoes (even if you might not need them)
- Fire starter (Fiber Light)
- Fixed blade knife (Scout Feather)
- Drying system (Charlotte’s Webbing)
- Headlamp
- Emergency kit
- Hydration + hot drinks + food
Winter Camping at Mount Rainier – FAQ
Is winter camping allowed at Mount Rainier?
Yes, with proper preparation and weather awareness, winter camping is permitted in designated areas. Learn more from the National Park Service.
Do you need snowshoes at Mount Rainier in winter?
Often yes, especially at higher elevations. Conditions can vary dramatically.
What temperature rating sleeping bag is best for below-freezing camping?
A bag rated at least 10°F lower than expected overnight temps is recommended.
Is snow camping safe for beginners?
With preparation, layered insulation, and reliable fire-starting tools, it can be an incredible first adventure.